Breathing apparatus for swimmers



Feb. 13, 1923. 1,445,010 w. s. FElNBx-:RG

BREATHING APPARATUS FOR SWIMMERS Filed Nov.Y 1 192:1

Illllll mywmw@ Patented Feb. 13, 1923.

UNITED STATES WIILIAM S'. FEINBEBG,

-1,445,010 PATENT OFFICE.

0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BREATHING APPARATUS FOR SWIMMERS.

Application 4mea mvmber To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, WILLIAM S. FEINBERG, a citizen oftheUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinols` have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Breathing Apparatus for Swimmers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, .forming a part of this specification. The invention relates to breathing apparatus, and primarily to that type of these devices which may be utilized by swimmers or in teaching a person to swim.

The invention has among its various objects the provision of a device of this character which will permit the user to submerge the head while swimming and to breathe freely while his head is thus positioned, without fear 'of being choked by Water taken into the lungs through either the mouth or nostrils. This gives confidence to the user and assists him to` more aptly learn to swim, and at the same time permits him to practice breathing, so that this function will occur at the proper time with relation to the stroke, which is essentiah Thus theuser is taught when and howto breathe so that when he has learned to swim and is able to discard the device, his breathing while swimming will be more naturally accomplished.l

To accomplish the above referred to adtantages the member having the mouthpiece is also provided with means for controlling the nostrils. From this mouth piece a tube leads vwhich may be provided with a ioat to keep the end of the tube remote from the memberl having the mouthpiece above the surface of the Water and'aii'ord a communication with the' atmosphere..

The device is also provided with means for `removably attaching the same to the head of the user so that it cannot become accidentally disconnected and removed from the mouth of the person employing it.

The invention will be more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a view of a person in the act of swimming and employing the device; and

Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of modified structures which may be resorted' to for controlling the breathing of the user.

The device illustrated in the drawings contemplates the use of the member 10, the

15, 1920. Serial No. 424,249.

tubular passage 11 which is connected to the member 10 and communicates with the mouthpiece 12. Thistubular passage extends above the surface of the water and communicates with the atmosphere, and may be provided With a float 13 to insure keeping this end of the tube above the surface of the Water. A head gear 14 is connected to the tube and is provided to prevent the accidental removal of the mouthpiece from the mouth of the user.

The mouthpiece 12 is composed of rubber and is provided with the` elongated flange 15 which is inserted into the mouth between the gums and lips of the mouth. A pair of projections 16-16 project inwardly from this flanged ortion and are provided so that these portions may be inserted and held between the teeth. This flange 15- is spaced from the body of the member 10 soA as to provide a space for the lips between it and the elongated fiange 15. The member- 10 is also provided withmeans for controlling the` nostrils. One structure which may be employed vprevents the person from' lthe float 13 which keeps this end above the surface of the water and in communication with the atmosphere. The head gear '14 is attached at 19 to the tube leading from the mouthpiece and includes the portion 20 which surrounds the head at about the forehead and also includes the transverse element 21 which extends across the head. This latter device or head gear insures against the `accidental removal of the device from the mouth of the user. The tube 11 and other portions .may be constructed of rubber or any other suitable material. This tube 11 may also be composed of sections which are connected by means of the connecting portion 22, which may be a metallic tube the opposite ends of whichl are inserted into the ends of the tube or passage 11.

This structure may be resorted to in permitting the length of the tube to be adjusted soas to compensate for various depths at which the person is swimming below the surface of the Water.

The member 10 is, as above referred to, capable of either' having a structure which prevents breathing through the nostrils or provided with a structure Which permits the person to breathe inpthis manner. When the former structure is resorted to the member l0 may be provided With the elements 23 which resiliently engage the sides of the nose, close the nostrils and prevent the person from breathing therethrough. In the event that the latter structurewis desired, then the member 10 will have the tubular extensions 24-24 extending therefrom, which are designed to be inserted into the nostrils. These extensions communicate with the passages 25 Whichterminate in a connection With the tubular passage l1. The device may be constructed of rubber or any other suitable material. y

However I do not wish to limit myself to the usel of this or any other material, nor the lin a device of the class described, the 'com-A bination of a head piece, having a ortion which is adapted to surround the hea( and a portion Which is arranged transversely thereto, a tubular member secured to said portions of said head piece, a mouth piece provided at one end of said tubular member, a tubular section telescopically arranged with respect to the opposite end of the tubular member, another tubular member connected with said tubular section, said last mentioned tubular member ,having an enlarged chambered portion, said -last mentioned chamhered portion having a communication With the atmosphere whereby air may enter the chambered portion and pass through al1 of said tubular portions and thence to the mouth iece.

ln Witness Whereo l hereunto subscrib my name.

WILLIAM S. FEXNBERG. 

